Popular NJ Radio Host, Veteran’s Advocate Shot to Death

Updated at 8:01 am, May 12th, 2012

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(LINWOOD, N.J.) — A popular radio personality and veterans’ affairs advocate was found shot to death in her New Jersey home, shocking neighbors and friends who say they can’t think of any reason somebody could want to kill her.

April Kauffman, 47, was found in her bedroom Thursday morning by a worker who stopped in to feed the Kauffman’s pet parrots, authorities said. Kauffman sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Her husband, Dr. James Kauffman, rushed to their Linwood, N.J., home after learning what happened, neighbors told ABC News affiliate station WPVI.

“He told [my wife] that when he left the house, [April] was sleeping at 5 in the morning with a pillow over her face,” Lou Tate told WPVI. Tate said Dr. Kauffman kept asking “Why now?” possibly referring to his pending retirement and relocation to Arizona.

Kauffman was known throughout her community for her advocacy work, and was recently honored by Gov. Chris Christie as one of New Jersey’s outstanding volunteers. Once a week, Kauffman co-hosted a radio talk show, focusing on veteran’s issues.

In a statement on his website, her co-host Arthur Gropper wrote that he is “still disturbed, stunned and shocked by the news of the murder of a true friend, colleague and great person, April Kauffman….sadly April will never see her dream of local veterans’ healthcare come to fruition because of this senseless, gutless act. The Blond Bombshell of the Airwaves will be missed and loved forever.”

Neighbors and friends say they can’t think of any reason anybody might want April Kauffman dead. She and her husband were known for hosting charitable events and as supporters of numerous charitable causes, particularly U.S. veterans and wounded warriors.

The couple was also known to be avid gun collectors, and neighbors told WPVI the Kauffmans have a large vault in their basement where they keep the guns.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office says they haven’t made any arrests in the homicide investigation. Authorities say they have questioned a number of people, including Kauffman’s husband, but haven’t named any suspects.